Ex-aide to Harford Del. James, brother acquitted of all charges from Annapolis fight

ALLAN VOUGHT, avought@theaegis.com

A former legislative aide to Harford Del. Mary-Dulany James and his brother have been acquitted of assault and other charges in connection with a fight in the delegate's office in April.

Luke Uriah Kershner Horah, 25, had been charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, vandalism less than $1,000 and affray - fighting in a public place. He received judgments of acquittal on all charges in Anne Arundel County District Court on May 22, according to online Maryland court records.

Jacob Deyman Kershner Horah, 19, who had faced the same charges, also received judgments of acquittal on all charges, according to court records.

The brothers, who live in the 100 block of Hopewell Road in Rising Sun, had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, according to court records.

Reached by telephone late Thursday afternoon, Luke Horah, who has since left James' staff, said he had no comment on the case. The brothers' lawyers did not return calls requesting comment.

Shortly after the incident, Luke Horah had told a reporter it was "just a family issue that occurred at the wrong place."

Maryland Department of General Services Capitol Police charged the brothers following a fight at the Lowe House of Delegates Building during the last night of the Maryland General Assembly session on April 7.

According to the police report, the "mutual assault" occurred in Lowe Room 404, the office of Del. James, where multiple lamps, phones and office equipment were broken and blood stained with "large amounts of blood on the floor."

Damage to the property was valued at about $1,000, according to the report.

James was not there when the fight occurred, police said.

Police said at the time they found Luke Horah in the office and later found Jacob Horah in the area. According to the police report, both brothers had bloody hands and bruises and Jacob Horah had a minor cut over his eye that was treated at a local hospital. Both brothers were booked at the Annapolis City Police Department and released on their own recognizance pending trial.

The police report on the incident also stated Luke Horah told officers at the scene that "a black man approximately 6 foot, 2 inches in height assaulted him" and fled. A search by police, however, found only a white man trying to leave, who was identified as Jacob Horah, according to the police report.

James, a 16-year-member of the House of Delegates, who is running for the State Senate in southern Harford legislative district 34, issued a written statement Thursday night in response to an emailed request for information about Luke Horah's employment status:

"Mr. Horah was suspended as of April 8, 2014 and terminated from my employment as of April 15, 2014," the delegate wrote. "As this was a personal matter, and based on advice of counsel from the Attorney General's office, this can be my only public comment on this matter."

James is locked in an expensive fight with former state senator and frequent candidate Art Helton for the Democratic nomination to the senate seat. The winner in the June 24 primary will face Republican Bob Cassilly in the November general election.